2.2.0.25truefalse1044 - Disclosure - Changes in Level 3 Instruments Measured on a Recurring Basis (Detail)truefalseIn Millionsfalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $eol_PE10216---1010-K0013_STD_365_20101231_0http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001090727duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00pureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepure0iso4217_USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170iso4217_USD_per_sharesDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instanceshares0sharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instanceshares0YearStandardhttp://www.ups.com/20101231Yearups0PersonStandardhttp://www.ups.com/20101231Personups0CreditFacilityStandardhttp://www.ups.com/20101231CreditFacilityups0USDUSD$2true0us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse< Unit>Otherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse3false0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalsefalseperiodstartlabel1truefalsefalse517000000517falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents an asset measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) which is required for reconciliation purposes of beginning and ending balances.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 157 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph c falsefalse4false0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersNetus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1< /Id>falsefalsefalse00&nbsp;falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents [net] transfers in to and out of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3) which have taken place during the period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 157 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph c(3) falsefalse5true0us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1f alsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse6false0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInEarningsus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse-61000000-61falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), arising from assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3), which are included in earnings or resulted in a change in net asset value.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 157 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph c(1) falsefalse7false0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse5900000059falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), arising from assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3), which are included in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 157 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph c(1) falsefalse8false0ups_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetPurchasesupsfalsedebitdurationFair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchasesfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse verboselabel1falsefalsefalse00&nbsp;falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, PurchasesNo authoritative reference available.false< /IsTotalLabel>false9false0ups_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSettlementsupsfalsedebitdurationFair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlementsfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse-110000000-110falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, SettlementsNo authoritative reference available.falsefalse10false0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalseperiodendlabel1truefalsefalse405000000405falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents an asset measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) which is required for reconciliation purposes of beginning and ending balances.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 157 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph c falsefalse11false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.ups.com/taxonomy/role/disclosurechangesinlevel3instrumentsmeasuredonarecurringbasis1falsef alsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetTypeAxis} : Marketable securities 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $eol_PE10216---1010-K0013_STD_365_20101231_0_403669x420126http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001090727duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseMarketable securitiesus-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiups_MarketableSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetTypeAxisexplicitMemberiso4217_USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse12true0us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconcil iationLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse13false0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalsefalseperiodstartlabel1truefalsefalse216000000216falsefalsefalse falsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents an asset measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) which is required for reconciliation purposes of beginning and ending balances.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 157 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph c falsefalse14false0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersNetus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1 falsefalsefalse00&nbsp;falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents [net] transfers in to and out of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3) which have taken place during the period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 157 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph c(3) falsefalse15true0us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1 falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse16false0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInEarningsus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse-27000000-27false falsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), arising from assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3), which are included in earnings or resulted in a change in net asset value.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 157 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph c(1) falsefalse17false0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse5900000059falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), arising from assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3), which are included in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 157 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph c(1) falsefalse18false0ups_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetPurchasesupsfalsedebitdurationFair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchasesfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefals everboselabel1falsefalsefalse00&nbsp;falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, PurchasesNo authoritative reference available.false false19false0ups_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSettlementsupsfalsedebitdurationFair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlementsfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse-110000000-110falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, SettlementsNo authoritative reference available.falsefalse20false0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalseperiodendlabel1truefalsefalse138000000138falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents an asset measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) which is required for reconciliation purposes of beginning and ending balances.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 157 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph c falsefalse21false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.ups.com/taxonomy/role/disclosurechangesinlevel3instrumentsmeasuredonarecurringbasis1falsef alsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetTypeAxis} : Other Long-term Investments 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $eol_PE10216---1010-K0013_STD_365_20101231_0_403669x408291http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001090727duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseOther Long-term Investmentsus-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_OtherLongTermInvestmentsMemberus-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetTypeAxisexplicitMemberiso4217_USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse22true0us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasi sUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse23false0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalsefalseperiodstartlabel1truefalsefalse301000000301falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents an asset measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) which is required for reconciliation purposes of beginning and ending balances.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 157 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph c falsefalse24false0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersNetus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1 falsefalsefalse00&nbsp;falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents [net] transfers in to and out of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3) which have taken place during the period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 157 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph c(3) falsefalse25true0us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1 falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse26false0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInEarningsus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse-34000000-34false falsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), arising from assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3), which are included in earnings or resulted in a change in net asset value.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 157 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph c(1) falsefalse27false0ups_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetPurchasesupsfalsedebitdurationFair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchasesfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse verboselabel1falsefalsefalse00&nbsp;falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, PurchasesNo authoritative reference available.falsefalse28false0us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalseperiodendlabel1truefalsefalse267000000267falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents an asset measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) which is required for reconciliation purposes of beginning and ending balances.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 157 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph c falsefalse127Changes in Level 3 Instruments Measured on a Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue